 |
|
|
|
|
Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link. |
Sen. McCormick’s Office to Hold Constituent Hours
On Tuesday, Oct. 6, a representative from Sen. Dave McCormick’s office will be at my Troy office from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to assist constituents with federal issues.
I appreciate Sen. McCormick’s office making themselves available to our local residents. As always, my office remains committed to maintaining open lines of communication, strengthening our communities and helping you navigate any state-related issues you may face so I am grateful for this opportunity to guide constituents through any federal issues you may be facing.
My door is always open. If you would like to meet with me in person, please call my Wellsboro office to schedule an appointment.
|
Wellsboro Rotary Welcomes Pennsylvania National Guard Leader
On Thursday, Sept. 17, the Wellsboro Rotary Club welcomed Maj. Gen. Terrence L. Koudelka Jr. as a guest speaker.
Maj. Gen. Koudelka serves as the primary advisor to Maj. Gen. John Pippy, adjutant general of the Pennsylvania National Guard, on matters pertaining to air operations. He is also responsible for the operational readiness of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard’s 4,100 assigned members, ensuring they are properly trained and equipped to fulfill their federal and state missions.
I am grateful for the strong partnership between the Wellsboro Rotary Club and the Pennsylvania National Guard. As the third-largest National Guard force in the United States, the Pennsylvania National Guard plays an important role in supporting our service members, strengthening our communities, and defending our Commonwealth and our nation.
It was an honor to hear from Maj. Gen. Koudelka and learn more about the important work being done by the Pennsylvania National Guard.
|
Veterans Appreciation Breakfast and Outreach in Troy
On Thursday, Oct. 15, I am honored to host a Veterans Appreciation Breakfast in Troy to recognize and thank veterans of the 68th Legislative District for their service.
This free event will bring local veterans together to honor their service and hear firsthand stories of sacrifice and dedication from inspiring local veterans.
Attendees will also have an opportunity to speak with Bill McGovern, department service officer with the American Legion. Following the breakfast, Bill will be available at my Troy office for private appointments. If you would like to schedule a time to meet with him, please call the Troy office at 570-297-3045.
|
USDA Rural Development Comes to Tioga County
Last week, I had the pleasure of welcoming PA USDA Rural Development State Director Chris Hoffman to Tioga County!
We toured Victaulic to discuss its expansion project and visited the Lawrence Township Municipal Authority (LTMA) to learn more about local sewer infrastructure needs. I appreciate Chris taking the time to see firsthand the challenges and opportunities facing our rural communities. Chris wasn’t afraid to roll up his sleeves and get his boots a little dirty.
I was also pleased to introduce Chris to a full room at the Develop Tioga Economic Summit, where we shared our commitment to investing in rural Pennsylvania and helping communities like ours thrive.
Thank you to all of our state, regional and local partners who continue working together to advance workforce development, economic growth, infrastructure and a stronger future for Tioga County!
|
Annual Bradford/Sullivan County PA Farm Bureau Meeting
I enjoyed joining House colleagues Reps. Joe Hamm and Tina Pickett, along with other state and local officials, for the Bradford/Sullivan County Farm Bureau’s annual fall meeting on Friday, Sept. 18, at North Orwell Community Hall in Bradford County
It was great to connect with Farm Bureau members, hear their concerns and have open discussions about the issues impacting our local agricultural communities. I appreciate their continued advocacy and commitment to Pennsylvania agriculture!
|
| Pictured with me, from left to right, are Paul and Kathy Yoachim, John Painter, Bradford/Sullivan County Farm Bureau Vice President Amanda Miller, Jim Gore, Chris Young, Bradford/Sullivan County Farm Bureau President Barbara Warburton, state Rep. Joe Hamm, Martha Young, state Rep. Tina Pickett, Sullivan County Commissioner Brian Hoffman, and Janenne Goliash from state Sen. Gene Yaw’s office. |
|
Local Historical Society Receives Funding
In honor of the Commonwealth’s 250th anniversary, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) awarded $9,500 each to Bradford/Sullivan County and Tioga County Historical Societies.
I was able to work alongside PHMC to help secure this funding, which will help support these important organizations as they continue preserving and sharing the story of Pennsylvania and the significant role our local communities have played in our nation’s history.
I encourage residents to visit their local historical society, learn more about our rich local history and explore the many programs and educational opportunities available to the community and beyond.
|
2026 Center for Dairy Excellence Grant Opportunities
The Center for Dairy Excellence has several grant opportunities currently open for PA dairy producers! The center leverages funds provided through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to make these grants possible. Whether you're planning a project to boost milk production, seeking one-on-one consultation to support better decision making, or considering a major business transformation, there may be funding available to help.
Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so don't wait!
|
Human Trafficking Awareness Event
Join me Thursday, Oct. 29, at North Street Community Church in Canton for a Human Trafficking Awareness event focused on recognizing the signs of trafficking, online grooming and exploitation of children, and ways to protect loved ones. Speakers include Wyoming County District Attorney Joe Peters and Korrin Moon, president and founder of Lantern Rescue.
RSVP at www.RepOwlett.com/events or by calling the Wellsboro office at 570-724-1390 or Troy office at 570-297-3045.
|
Winning the Fight Against Government Overreach
I recently joined more than 80 of my fellow House members in submitting formal comments to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) calling for the withdrawal of the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s proposed rewrite of regulations that govern communicable and noncommunicable diseases in the Commonwealth.
I’m pleased to report the department did withdraw those regulations late Friday afternoon! While this is great news, officials have indicated they will revise and resubmit new regulations, so we will be keeping an eye out for that plan.
The 502-page proposal was reminiscent of COVID lockdown-era policy and would have been an unprecedented expansion of bureaucratic control, threatening the constitutional liberties, medical privacy and parental rights of citizens across the Commonwealth. Our formal comment letter highlighted several alarming provisions within the proposal, including:
| |
• |
Broadly expanding mandatory vaccine reporting and allowing increased access to private medical records. |
| |
• |
Granting health officials the authority to enter school buildings and interview minor students privately for disease-control investigations without clear parental knowledge or consent. |
| |
• |
Providing the ability to enter private residences for disease control investigations while remaining silent about whether a search warrant is required prior to entering a residence. |
| |
• |
Expanding protocols for contact tracing, isolation and quarantine, while raising concerns over unilateral executive powers to re-impose mask mandates or other coercive measures. |
| |
• |
Attempting to permanently establish sweeping public health powers through the regulatory process rather than through open legislative debate. |
Click here to read our comment letter.
|
|
|
